Naval Supply Systems Command Fleet Logistics Center (NAVSUP FLC) Yokosuka's Sasebo postal operations team supported aircraft carrier USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70) with a major load-out during deployed operations, March 10.

"Christmas time is usually our biggest rush at the post office," said Tommie Tate, postal manager for NAVSUP FLC Yokosuka's Sasebo site. "Supporting a strike group the size of Vinson creates a similar rush for us."

A postal load-out on the scale necessary to support a carrier the size of Carl Vinson is no small accomplishment. It is a well-orchestrated logistics operation with multiple players, the kind of coordinated team effort required for the Navy's forward-deployed U.S. forces.

"At least four times a year, Site Sasebo supports the Navy's strike groups with load-outs of mail, provisions, and cargo," said Tate. "This operation included 182 tri-walls of mail."

A tri-wall is a heavy-duty, reinforced, three-layers thick cardboard box or carton used for shipments. It measures 48 1/2 inches in length, 37 1/2 inches in height, and 41 1/2 inches in width and weighs approximately 275 pounds.

NAVSUP FLC Yokosuka Commanding Officer Jeffery Davis said the efforts of the Sasebo team epitomize the type of flexibility and agility expected of logistics professionals in the Pacific area of responsibility.

"I'm particularly proud of Commander Rozzell and his team," said Davis. "They were able to improvise to expand operating space by working closely with U.S. Fleet Activities Sasebo to accommodate over 1,200 pallets of mail, provisions, and cargo to sustain Carl Vinson during deployed operations."

Commander, Fleet Activities Sasebo Capt. Matthew Ovios echoed Davis, visiting the postal operations site to thank the team and remind them their efforts are vital to sustaining the operations of the entire fleet.

"When people think of Sasebo, they normally think about amphibious ships; but the food, fuel, parts, and mail that flow through Sasebo are headed to all of the ships, submarines, and aviation squadrons that operate in this region," said Ovios. "It was truly impressive to see firsthand the number of pallets that NAVSUP FLC Yokosuka was moving to the fleet. I also reminded them how important their job is to morale, because every Sailor enjoys hearing the words 'mail call.'"

In addition to supporting the fleet, the Sasebo postal operations team ensures mail gets delivered to the more than 10,000 people on base.

"We handle close to 1.5 million pounds of mail a year and have a staff of 10," said Tate. "Though we get some volunteer support from other ships and from high school interns in the area, we couldn't do what we do without the support of some our logistics support representatives. They provided the additional support we needed for this type of large operation."

NAVSUP FLC Yokosuka, one of eight fleet logistics centers under NAVSUP Global Logistics Support (GLS), is the western Pacific region's largest U.S. Navy logistics command. Headquartered just 26 miles south of Tokyo, the enterprise networks more than 20 sites from Misawa, Japan, to Sydney, Australia; Diego Garcia in the Indian Ocean to Guam with a mission to deliver supply and logistics solutions which enable deployed maritime warfighter readiness in the Indo-Asia-Pacific region.

NAVSUP GLS provides global logistics for a global Navy. The organization is made up of approximately 6,300 military and civilian logistics professionals operating from 105 locations worldwide, providing an extensive array of integrated global logistics and contracting services to Navy, Marine Corps, joint operational units, and allied forces across all warfare enterprises.

NAVSUP provides U.S. naval forces with quality supplies and services. With headquarters in Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania, and employing a diverse, worldwide workforce of more than 22,500 military and civilian personnel, NAVSUP oversees logistics programs in the areas of supply operations, conventional ordnance, contracting, resale, fuel, transportation, and security assistance. In addition, NAVSUP is responsible for quality-of-life issues for naval forces including food service, postal services, Navy Exchanges, and movement of household goods.

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